Celtics' Sullinger to be arraigned following domestic dispute

The Sports Xchange

The SportsXchange•September 3, 2013

Boston Celtics forward Jared Sullinger entered a not-guilty plea on Tuesday on charges tied to an alleged domestic dispute Saturday. Sullinger was arraigned on charges of battery, malicious destruction of property and witness intimidation stemming from an alleged incident with his girlfriend, Deann Smith. Bail was set at $5,000. Judge Gregory C. Flynn also ordered Sullinger not to contact Smith in person unless a third person is present, according to the Boston Globe. A warrant was issued for Sullinger's arrest Saturday when police responded to an incident call at his home. Sullinger had fled before police arrived. Sullinger released a statement through the Celtics, which read as follows: "I voluntarily reported to the Waltham police this morning to respond to charges against me. The experience was humbling and embarrassing for me. Yet I know that this situation has brought both sorrow and embarrassment to my girlfriend, my family, the Boston Celtics organization, my teammates, and my fans. To all of you, I apologize from the bottom of my heart. My lawyers have advised me not to discuss the case at this time. But I wanted to immediately and publicly apologize to everyone affected by this situation." Sullinger, a first-round pick in 2012 and two-time All-American at Ohio State, played in 45 games as a rookie with the Boston Celtics before he was injured in January. Sullinger was ruled out for the season on Feb. 1 -- one week after the Celtics lost point guard Rajon Rondo to a torn ACL -- with a back injury that required surgery. He was red-flagged by some NBA team physicians before the draft because of back issues.